Battery protective memory system for automotive vehicles

ABSTRACT

A novel battery protective system for automotive vehicles is provided in which both the running lights and the parking lights are controlled by a common light switch operator, which operator is restricted, and in some circumstances actuated, by the key controlled, ignition switch actuator. In the normal, nonoperating condition of the ignition switch actuator, according to my invention, the running lights are necessarily off and cannot be turned on. The parking lights may be turned on and off manually, but are turned off and blocked against being turned on by operation of the ignition switch actuator to running position or to the utilities position. The turning of the ignition switch actuator to running position or to utilities position makes possible the manual turning on and turning off of the running lights, but turns off the parking lights (if on) and blocks the turning on of the parking lights. Return of the ignition switch actuator to normal, non-operating position turns off the running lights but does not restore the parking lights. No running or parking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediately following the turning off of the ignition switch actuator. No running or parking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediately following the turning on of the ignition switch actuator. The system is fool-proof.

United States'Patent Crews [15] 3,666,959 51 May 30, 1972 [54] BATTERYPROTECTIVE MEMORY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES [72] Inventor: ClarenceM. Crews, 4706 North Pacific Highway, Central Point, Oreg. 97501 [22]Filed: Jan. 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No; 110,547

[52] us. Cl. ..307/10 BP, 200/44, 340/52, 340/54, 315/82 [51] rm. c1...H02g 3/00 58 Field ofSearch ..307/10, 10 BP;3i5/80,81, 315/82, 83;340/53, 54; 200/44, 42

Primary Examiner-Herman J. Hohauser ABSTRACT A novel battery protectivesystem for automotive vehicles is provided in which both the runninglights and the parking lights are controlled by a common light switchoperator, which operator is restricted, and in some circumstancesactuated, by the key controlled, ignition switch actuator. In thenormal, non-operating condition of the ignition switch actuator,according to my invention, the running lights are necessarily off andcannot be turned on. The parking lights may be turned on and offmanually, but are turned off and blocked against being turned on byoperation of the ignition switch actuator to running position or to theutilities position. The turning of the ignition switch actuator torunning position or to utilities position makes possible the manualturning on and turning off of the running lights, but turns oi? theparking lights (if on) and blocks the turning on of the parking lights.Return of the ignition switch actuator to normal, non-operating positionturns off the running lights but does not restore the parking lights. Norunning or parking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediatelyfollowing the turning off of the ignition switch actuator. No running orparking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediately followingthe turning on of the ignition switch actuator. The system isfool-proof.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures L Imam BATTERY Patented May 30, 1972 I momBATTERY,

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M a WI/U4 W M: Z 4 J W 8 6 & 3 4 0 8 3 J 4 0 n. l- MM 2 w 5 w u m 2 Q 3M a M m a a 2 2 2 h In 1 0 III M w W l u H F O 0 0 a n n a a a a 6 w Vo. Z V, r// ZF /M AAAAAAAAA AAA/ u 8 a 2 w 2 m m 0 BATTERY PROTECTIVEMEMORY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES This invention relates to lightcontrolling, battery protective means for automotive vehicles, being inthe nature of an improvement upon the memory system disclosed andclaimed in myletters patent ofthe U.S. No 3,337,768 ofAug. 22, 1967. I

In accordance with the disclosure of that patent, provision is made of aunit which could be added to, or substituted for, the normal runninglight control means. When so substituted, the running lights could beturned on only by first turning on the key controlled ignition switchactuator and then operating a memory switch for turning on the runninglights. The running lights could be turned on and H at will so long asthe ignition switch actuator remained in running position, but theturning off of the ignition switch to kill the engine (and generally topermit the key to be withdrawn) had the very advantageous characteristicof turning off the running lights and thereby protecting the batteryagainst being drained. The patented arrangement had the furtheradvantage that subsequent turning on of the ignition switch actuatormerely made the running lights available but did not turn them on.

The operator did not have to remember to turn the running lights off,and he did not have to remember whether the running lights had been usedwhen the vehicle was last previously operated. The running lights couldnever be left on unintentionally and they could never be turned onunintentionally.

That system, as illustratively disclosed in the patent, involves theretaining closed of the memory switch through electromagnetic means.

That system was disclosed in the form of an accessory unit, designed tobe added to or substituted'for, a completely operative, conventionalsystem, which conventional system itself provided no assurance againstdraining of the battery through inadvertent leaving ,on of the runninglights or the parking lights.

t The primary object of the present invention is to achieve theobjectives of the patent referred to through mechanical operation,and/or limitation, of a running light switch operator by the ignitionswitch actuator.

I To this end, a running light switch operator is made cooperative withmechanical means operated directly by, and in harmony with, the ignitionswitch actuator for blocking the turning on of the running lights solong as the ignition switch actuator occupies the normal, non-operatingposition. Operation of the ignition switch actuator either to the engineoperating position or to the utilities position, leaves the runninglight operator free to be manually operated for turning the runninglights on and off. Restoration of the ignition switch actuator to thenormal, non-operating position restores the running light switch to theoff position, (if the running lights have been turned on), and blocks itagainst turning the running lights on.

As a further feature, the running light switch operator may be-turned inthe opposite direction from the off" position to turn on the parkinglights. The operator is free to turn on the parking lights with theignition switch actuator in the normal, non-operating position.Operation of the ignition switch actuator to the running position or tothe utilities position moves the light switch operator to the offposition, not only turning off the parking lights but blocking themanual turning on of the parking lights until after the ignition switchactuator has been returned to the normal, non-operating position.

As a consequence of this arrangement, the operation of the ignitionswitch actuator from the running or the utilities position to thenormal, non-operating position always leaves the running lights and theparking lights off, but with the parking lights available to be turnedon if desired.

A still further feature of the invention has to do with providing apartial safeguard of the vehicle against theft. A switch which groundsout the ignition circuit is normally closed with the ignition switchactuator in the normal, non-operating position, so that the ignitionswitch' cannot be successfully bypassed by a jumper. This switch toground is opened, rendering the ignition switch circuit fully operative,in

response to the operation of the ignition switch actuator to the engineoperating position.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification,

FIG. I is a fragmentary view in elevation of a segment of a dashboard ofa motor vehicle, as viewed from the driver's seat, with the concealedportions of the ignition switch actuator and interrelated light controlsshown in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing chiefly the ignition switch actuatorand mechanism directly responsive thereto, the section being taken onthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, showing chiefly the light switch operator,the section being taken on the same section line 2- 2 as FIG. 2 (alsodesignated as 3-3), but looking in the direction of the arrowsdesignated 3-3; and

FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram indicating chiefly the relation of theignition, utilities and starter circuits to the ignition switchactuator.

In FIG. 1 a fragmentary view of a dashboard 10 is shown, limited to thatportion only which reveals the ignition switch actuator 12 and a lightswitch operating knob 14. The ignition switch actuator is, as usual,locked against rotation in a stationary pin tumbler cylinder 16 in anormal, non-operating position. The ignition switch actuator 12 isrotatably mounted in the cylinder and is adapted to be turned by a key18 either a clockwise to a running position in which the ignitioncircuit is rendered active, or counter-clockwise to a position in whichthe utilities circuit is rendered active or the utilities are at leastmade available, but the ignition circuit is not madeavailable. Theaction of the lock is not illustrated because it is purely conventionaland is well understood, has no detailed bearing upon the novel featuresof the invention, and is present in operative form upon millions ofvehicles. v

In the present instance it is desirable, though not essential, that theignition switch actuator and the light switch operator be organized intoa compact unit which may be conveniently mounted on the concealed sideof the dashboard. For this purpose a carrier plate 20 is provided whichcomprises a vertical rear wall 22 and a horizontal front wall or floor24. The plate 20 may be cut away or skeletonized where parts are notneeded, may be modified to provide supporting brackets, or may havebrackets, etc. applied to it as required for conventional purposes.

The unit may be made fast with the dashboard at the concealed sidethereof. Illustratively, a mounting plate 26, having bosses 28 displacedforwardly from it, may be spot welded to the forward (concealed) side ofthe dashboard before the exposed side of the dashboard has beendecoratively finished.

Headed screws 30, passed through the wall 22 of the plate 20, andsecured through threaded openings in the bosses 28, may be utilized forholding the unit in place.

A cam 32 is keyed on a reduced rear end portion of the ignition switchactuator 12 for rotation in unison therewith, the cam having a collar34, through which it is fixed in position on the ignition switchactuator by means of a set screw 36. The cam will be described infurther detail and its operation explained after the light switchoperator 38 has been adequately described.

The knob 14, which forms the only readily accessible part of the lightswitch operator 38, is made fast on the exposed rear end of a shaft 40by means of a set screw 44, the knob 14 and the collar 42 serving to fixthe position of the shaft relative to the plates. Intermediate its ends,the shaft 40 is desirably sustained and steadied by a bearing plate 46.

Fixed on the forward end of the shaft 40, through a collar 46 and setscrew 50, is a three-armed lever 52. The lever 52 includes a downwardlyextending arm 53 having three notches 54, 56 and 58 formed in its lowerend. A leaf spring 60, having one end affixed to the floor portion 24 ofthe plate 20, has a bent, pointed free end which normally bears in thenotch 56 for retaining the lever in a lights-01f position. It may alsobear in the notch 54 or the notch 58 when the lever is turnedcounter-clockwise and clockwise, respectively, to bring the notches intoposition to be engaged by said detent spring. The function of the springis to retain the light switch operator yieldingly in any one of threepositions; to-wit, a normal, lights-out position as shown, a runninglight position when it engages the notch 54, and a parking lightposition when it engages the notch 58. The spring, in cooperation withthe notches, also biases the lever to precisely the positions desired.The lights-off position is an intermediate position.

The lever 52 also includes an arm 62 which extends over into the zone ofinfluence of the cam 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm 62 engages a lobe64 of the cam, the lobe being in the position dictated by the normal,non-operating position of the ignition switch actuator. The lobe 64blocks the lever 52 against counter-clockwise movement and henceprecludes closing of a running-light-energizing switch 66, the switch 66being normally biased to an open condition as shown.

When the ignition switch actuator is turned clockwise to runningposition or counter-clockwise to utilities position, the cam lobe 64 ismoved clear of the arm 62. The position of the light switch operator isnot affected by either of these movements, but since the arm 62 is nolonger obstructed by the lobe 64, the knob 14 may be turnedcounter-clockwise for closing the running light switch 66, and therebycompleting connection to the running lights through conductor 82. Returnof the ignition switch actuator from either the running position or theutilities position to the original, normal, non-operating position willcause the lobe 64 to cam the arm 62 to the position shown in FIG. 1,thereby restoring the light switch operator to the off" position.

A third arm 68 of the lever 52 includes a follower end portion 70 which,in the normal, nonoperating position of the ignition switch actuatorillustrated in FIG. 1, stands tangent to the normal, circular peripheryof the cam 32, but opposite a notch 72 therein. With the ignition switchactuator in the position shown the lever 52 may be turned clockwise byknob 14 to lodge the portion 70 in the notch 72, thereby to turn on theparking lights through a switch 74 and a conductor 75, and to lodge thefree end of detent spring 60 in the notch 58. Rotation of the ignitionswitch actuator to or toward either the running position or theutilities position will cam the arm 68 outward, restoring the lightswitch operator to the lights off" position of FIG. 1, and therebyturning off the parking lights. Returning the ignition switch actuatorto the normal, nonoperating position of FIG. 1 will always restore thecondition of the light switch operator to the condition of FIG. 1 withall parking and running lights out, but with the parking lights onlyhaving the potentiality of being turned on and then off by operation ofthe knob 14.

It is an important and significant fact that, regardless of whether theparking lights are in use, the turning of the ignition switch actuatorfrom the normal,non-operating position to either the running position orthe utilities position will assuredly produce a condition in which therunning lights and the parking lights are out, but the running lightsonly can be manually turned on.

It is an even more important and significant fact that, regardless ofwhether the running lights are on with the ignition switch actuator ineither the operating position or the utilities position, restoration ofthe ignition switch actuator to the normal non-operating position willassuredly produce a condition in which the running lights and theparking lights are out, but

I the parking lights only can be manually turned on.

While the primary object of the invention is to prevent draining of thebattery through the inadvertent leaving on of lights following theoperation of the vehicle, while avoiding the unwitting turning on oflights by the mere turning on of the ignition switch actuator, theprovision of the cam 32 makes available a convenient means forinterfering with theft of the vehicle by resort to a jumper.

A normally open switch 76 to ground is accordingly provided, the switchbeing connected to the ignition circuit through a conductor 78. Theswitch is held closed by a lobe 80 of the cam 32 with the ignitionswitch actuator in thenormal, non-operating position, but is permittedto spring open in response to key operation of the ignition switchactuator away from that position.

The relationship of the ignition switch actuator to the ignition,utilities and starter circuits is diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 4.

When the ignition switch actuator is turned counterclockwise to theutilities position it completes a connection through a contact 88 and aconductor 90 to the utilities circuit. The utilities circuit, of course,includes branches, each of which may include an additional switch orswitches, manual or automatic or both, as circumstances may require.

When the ignition switch actuator is turned clockwise to the runningposition, the member 84 completes a connection,

through a terminal contact 92, a branch conductor 94 and the conductor90 to the utilities circuit. It simultaneously completes a connectionthrough a terminal contact 96 and conductors 98 and 100 to the ignitioncircuit.

When the ignition switch actuator is turned further in a clockwisedirection to the starter operating position, it completes requiredconnections to the starter relay and to the starter motor through aterminal contact 102 and a conductor 104. It simultaneously completes aconnection to the ignition circuit through a terminal contact 106 andconductors 98 and 100. As usual, the ignition switch actuator may bespring returned from starter operating position to running position.

There is nothing to prevent turning on of the running lights after theignition switch actuator has been operated to running position andbefore advancing it to the starter operating position, but since thatwould be an awkward, unnatural and undesirable mode of operation, nosafeguard against it is required.

The ignition circuit, the utilities circuit and the starting circuit areall shown as grounded through a common conductor 108. These could, ofcourse, be separate groundings. The battery terminal not connected tothe conductor 86 is also shown as grounded. The use of groundconnections is a practical but not a compulsory arrangement. Many detailvariations in harmony with varied conventional practices are permissiblewithin the scope of the invention.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the best embodiment ofmy invention. What I desire to secure by letters patent is set forth inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. Battery protective means in an automotive vehicle having a storagebattery, an ignition switch actuator operable between a normal,non-operatingposition and a running position, and running lights, thecombination with said battery, ignition switch actuator and the runninglights of a. a manually operable light switch operator having an off"position and a running-light-energizing position, and

b. mechanical means directly connected for operation by,

and in harmony with, the ignition switch actuator and effective at timesmechanically to restrict operation of the light switch operator, and attimes to operate the light switch operator to the off" position, saidmechanical means being constructed and arranged l. physically to blockthe light switch operator against manual operation to therunning-light-energizing position so long as the ignition switchactuator stands in its normal, non-operating position,

2. to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation toand from the running-light-energizing position, in response to theplacing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operatingposition, and

. mechanically to return the light switch operator to the off positionand thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turnedon, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switch actuatorfrom the running position to the normal, non-operating position.

2. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth inclaim 1 in which the ignition switch actuator also has a utilitiesposition at the opposite side of the normal, nonoperating position fromthe running position, in which the mechanical means connected foroperation by the ignition switch actuator is constructed and arranged tofree the light switch operator for' voluntary manual operation to andfrom running-lighkenergizing position by movement of the ignition switchactuator to the utilities position, and to extinguish the runninglights, if they have been-tumed on, by mechanically returning therunning-light-switch operator to the nonnal off position in response tooperation of the ignition switch actuator from the utilities position tothe normal, non-operating position.

3. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth inclaim 2 in which the mechanical means driven directly by the ignitionswitch actuator consists of a cam having a protruding lobe, and therunning-light-switch operator includes an arm which is engaged by saidcam lobe in the normal, non-operating position of the ignition switchactuator to prevent operation of the running-light-switch operator in adirection to turn on the running lights, said armbeing cleared by thelobe when the ignition switch actuator is turned to the running positionor to the utilities position, but being placed in the path of the lobe,by turning on of the running lights, so that the return of the ignitionswitch actuator to the normal nonoperating position will, through thelobe and arm, force the turning out of the running lights.

4. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth inclaim 1 in which the yehicle is also equipped with parking lights, andthe light switch operator is designed to be moved in one direction fromsaid off position for turning on the running lights and to be turned inthe opposite direction from the off position for turning on the parkinglights, and in which the mechanical means directly operated by theignition switch actuator, and the light switch operator, include cooerating parts, constructed and arranged to permit the parking lights tobe manually turned on and off by the light switch operator when theignition switch actuator is in the normal, non-operating position, butto be mechanically turned off by the manual operation of the ignitionswitch actuator away from the normal, non-operating position,

the construction and arrangement being such that both the parking lightsand the running lights will necessarily be out immediately followingoperation of the ignition switch actuator to the running position or tothe normal, non-operating position, the running lights being free to bemanually turned on and off by the light switch operator following theoperation of the ignition switch actuator to running position and theparking lights being free to be manually turned on and off by the lightswitch operator following the operation of the ignition switch actuatorto the normal, non-operating position.

5. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth inclaim 4 in which the mechanical means operated by the ignition switchactuator, and the light switch operator are so related that manualoperations of the ignition switch actuator to and from the utilitiesposition have the same effects, respectively, upon the light switchoperator as manual operations of the ignition switch actuator to andfrom the running position have.

6. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth inclaim 1 in which a grounding connection is provided for rendering theignition circuit inoperative, even through a jumper, when the ignitionswitch actuator is locked in the normal, non-operating position, saidgrounding connection including a normally open switch which is maderesponsive to the ignition switch actuator through the mechanical meansdirectly connected for operation by and with the ignition switchactuator, said switch being freed to spring open for making the ignitioncircuit operative, in response to operation of the ignition switchactuator away from the normal, non

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1. Battery protective means in an automotive vehicle having a storagebattery, an ignition switch actuator operable between a normal,non-operating position and a running position, and running lights, thecombination with said battery, ignition switch actuator and the runninglights of a. a manually operable light switch operator having an''''off'''' position and a running-light-energizing position, and b.mechanical means directly connected for operation by, and in harmonywith, the ignition switch actuator and effective at times mechanicallyto restrict operation of the light switch operator, and at times tooperate the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position, saidmechanical means being constructed and arranged
 1. physically to blockthe light switch operator against manual operation to therunning-light-energizing position so long as the ignition switchactuator stands in its normal, nonoperating position,
 2. to free thelight switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from therunning-light-energizing position, in response to the placing of theignition switch actuator in the engine operating position, and 3.mechanically to return the light switch operator to the ''''off''''position and thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have beenturned on, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switchactuator from the running position to the normal, non-operatingposition.
 2. to free the light switch operator for voluntary manualoperation to and from the running-light-energizing position, in responseto the placing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operatingposition, and
 2. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle asset forth in claim 1 in which the ignition switch actuator also has autilities position at the opposite side of the normal, non-operatingposition from the running position, in which the mechanical meansconnected for operation by the ignition switch actuator is constructedand arranged to free the light switch operator for voluntary manualoperation to and from running-light-energizing position by movement ofthe ignition switch actuator to the utilities position, and toextinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, bymechanically returning the running-light-switch operator to the normal''''off'''' position in response to operation of the ignition switchactuator from the utilities position to the normal, non-operatingposition.
 3. Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as setforth in claim 2 in which the mechanical means driven directly by theignition switch actuator consists of a cam having a protruding lobe, andthe running-light-switch operator includes an arm which is engaged bysaid cam lobe in the normal, non-operating position of the ignitionswitch actuator to prevent operation of the running-light-switchoperator in a direction to turn on the running lights, said arm beingcleared by the lobe when the ignition switch actuator is turned to therunning position or to the utilities position, but being placed in thepath of the lobe, by turning on of the running lights, so that thereturn of the ignition switch actuator to the normal non-operatingposition will, through the lobe and arm, force the turning out of therunning lights.
 3. mechanically to return the light switch operator tothe ''''off'''' position and thereby to extinguish the running lights,if they have been turned on, in response to the manual operation of theignition switch actuator from the running position to the normal,non-operating position.
 4. Battery protective means for an automotivevehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the vehicle is also equippedwith parking lights, and the light switch operator is designed to bemoved in one direction from said ''''off'''' position for turning on therunning lights and to be turned in the opposite direction from the''''off'''' position for turning on the parking lights, and in which themechanical means directly operated by the ignition switch actuator, andthe light switch operator, include cooperating parts, constructed andarranged to permit the parking lights to be manually turned on and offby the light switch operator when the ignition switch actuator is in thenormal, non-operating position, but to be mechanically turned off by themanual operation of the ignition switch actuator away from the normal,non-operating position, the construction and arrangement being such thatboth the parking lights and the running lights will necessarily be outimmediately following operation of the ignition switch actuator to therunning position or to the normal, non-operating position, the runninglights being free to be manually turned on and off by the light switchoperator following the operation of the ignition switch actuator torunning position and the parking lights being free to be manually turnedon and off by the light switch operator following the operation of theignition switch actuator to the normal, non-operating position. 5.Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim4 in which the mechanical means operated by the ignition switchactuator, and the light switch operator are so related that manualoperations of the ignition switch actuator to and from the utilitiesposition have the same effects, respectively, upon the light switchoperator as manual operations of the ignition switch actuator to andfrom the running position have.
 6. Battery protective means for anautomotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which a groundingconnection is provided for rendering the ignition circuit inoperative,even through a jumper, when the ignition switch actuator is locked inthe normal, non-operating position, said grounding connection includinga normally open switch which is made responsive to the ignition switchactuator through the mechanical means directly connected for operationby and with the ignition switch actuator, said switch being freed tospring open for making the ignition circuit operative, in response tooperation of the ignition switch actuator away from the normal,non-operating position.